Rocking cradle

ABSTRACT

A rocking cradle is formed from a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like. It is formed from foldably interconnected top, side and bottom panels. Both the top and bottom panels have extensions therefrom foldably connected along curved score lines, so that both the top and bottom panels, when folded and connected to define a tube, are curved in transverse cross-section. The top panel is cut and scored and foldable to position to define inner sides of the finished cradle, and extensions from the bottom panel define inner ends for the cradle. The cradle is characterized by the top panel providing end and side rails providing good structural integrity to the total structure.

United States Patent Maskell et al.

[1 1 3,656,256 [4 1 Apr. 18, 1972 ROCKING CRADLE [72] Inventors: Richard N. Maskell, Downers Grove; William C. Merrick, Carol Stream; Fred P.

211 App1.No.: 39,831

2,258,531 10/1941 Baldwin ..46/] 2,278,124 3/1942 Kowinski ....46/1l X 2,397,353 3/1946 Herz ..46/1 1 2,551,089 5/1951 Behrens ..46/11 2,619,768 12/1952 Tomchin ....46/1 1 X Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Carpenter, Ostis & Lindberg [5 7] ABSTRACT A rocking cradle is formed from a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like. It is formed from foldably interconnected top, side and bottom panels. Both the top and bottom panels have extensions therefrom foldably connected along curved score lines, so that both the top and bottom panels, when folded and connected to define a tube, are curved in transverse cross-section. The top panel is cut and scored and foldable to position to define inner sides of the finished cradle, and extensions from the bottom panel define inner ends for the cradle. The cradle is characterized by the top panel providing end and side rails providing good structural integrity to the total structure.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1972 INVENTORS. WILLIAM MERRICK FRED VOGES RICHARD N. MASKELL JM fiat 57% ATTORNEYS.

The rocking cradle according to the present invention is characterized by being formed from a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like, the assembled cradle being characterized by a curved bottom whereby the cradle may be rocked readily,curved upper extremities, inclined side walls, and internally concave end panels. The structure according to the present invention may be readily assembled by the user only simple locking tabs being necessary for the assembly of such finished structure.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rocking cradle constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of one-half of a cut and scored blank for forming the cradle seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof in the overturned position; and

1 FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mode of assembling the paperboard blank to form the structures seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

, In the rocking cradle according to the present invention is referred to by the reference numeral and comprises a curved bottom panel 11, concave end panels 12 and side panels 13 inclined from the vertical. The cradle 10 has a recess 15 in the top thereof, defined by upper side rails 14, end rails 16, transverse thereto curved inside end panels 18, inner side panels 17 and curved bottom panel 1 l.

Cradle 10 is formed from a cut and scored blank 20 seen in FIG. 2 wherein bottom panel 11, side panels 13 and side and end rails 16 are foldably interconnected along fold lines 21. As seen in FIG. 1, the end rails 16 extend transversely between the side rails 14. A closing flap 22 is foldably connected to bottom panel 11 along a score line 23, panel 22 being folded against the inside of one of the opposed side panels 13 upon assembly.

An extension 25 from each end of the bottom panel 11 each includes a first panel portion 24 which is foldably connected to a second inner panel portion 26. First inner panel portion 24 is defined by arcuate score lines 27 and 28 converging towards each other as seen in FIG. 2, and being joined at points remote from the midpoints thereof and substantially coextensive with the continuation of the score lines 21 and 23 defining bottom panel 11. Second inner panel portion 26 is defined by arcuate score line 28 and a second arcuate score line 29 generally parallel to arcuate score line 28. The two inner panel portions 24 and 26 together form an inside end panel 18 previously referred to.

An inner reinforcing member 31 for end rail 16 is defined by score line 29 and a score line 32, the two score lines being in reversed concave relationship with respect to each other, the reinforcing member 31 being defined by the aforesaid score lines 29 and 32 and by opposed end edges 33, the distance between such edges corresponding generally to the width between the spaced score lines 21, 21 flanking the side rails 14. The configuration of the reinforcing panel portion 31 corresponds to the configuration of the transverse end panels 16 and is adapted to underly the latter. A stiffener tab 34 is foldably connected to reinforcing member 31, and is defined by the score line 32. It is adapted to be folded to position with respect to the reinforcing panel member 31 to stiffen the same, stiffener tab 34 being folded downward and inwardly in the assembly of the cradle 10. Stiffener tab 34 is folded to a position to provide bearing for the upper portions of panel 12 at the upper extremities thereof. When folded as aforesaid score line 32 falls into register with score line 37, and score line 29 falls into register with a transverse cut line 49.

The outer end panel 12 for the cradle 10 is defined by spaced arcuate score lines 37 and 38, these being intersected by converging cut lines 39. The contour of the arcuate score lines 37 and 38 is suchthat in the folding said score lines panel 12 assumes an inwardly concave configuration as seen in FIG. 1

Outer end panel 12 has a locking tab 41 foldably connected thereto along the curved score line 38, locking tab 41 having locking ears 42 extending laterally therefrom and foldable with respect to the locking tab 41 along fold lines 43. The locking cars 42 are adapted to enter apertures 44 formed in bottom panel 11, and to extend along the inner side of panel 11 to lock the end panels 12 in position.

The inner side panels 17 are defined by a longitudinally extending cut line 47 and transversely extending cut lines 49, these being curved and intersecting spaced fold lines 48. The two inner side panels 17 are folded into the position seen in FIGS. 1, internally flank the outer side panels 13. The configuration of the arcuate cut lines 49 defines with the curved score line 37 the shape of end upper rail 16.

Structure is provided for locking one of the outer side panels 13 to the bottom panel 11 to define a tube, and one of the panels 13 is provided with lock tabs 51 having lock ears 52 foldable with respect thereto along score lines 53. The locking ears 52 are adapted to enter apertures 54 is formed in the bottom panel ll as seen more clearly in FIG. 3. Each end of the outer side panels 13 has flaps 56 foldable with respect to outer side panels 13 along score lines 57, the fiaps 56 being folded against the inside of the outer end panels 12.

We claim:

1. A rocking cradle formed from a unitary cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like and comprising:

a. bottom, sideand open top panels foldably interconnected to define a tube in transverse cross-section;

b. an extension from each end of said bottom panel comprising:

i. a first panel portion defined by spaced arcuate score lines converging from midpoints thereof and meeting at the ends thereof to provide a curved bottom panel whereby a rocking movement may be imparted to said cradle;

ii. a second panel portion foldably connected to said first panel portion and defined by generally parallel spaced and curved score lines;

iii. said first and second panel portions being foldable to position to define inner end panels;

c. an extension from each end of said top panel comprising:

i. a further panel portion defined by spaced arcuate score lines converging from midpoints thereof;

ii. said last named panel portion being substantially co-ex- 'tensive in area with said first and second named panel portions, and

iii. being foldable to position to define an outer end wall;

d. a pair of confronting inner side walls cut from and foldably connected to said top panel;

e. distal portions extending from said further panel portions and secured to said bottom panel.

2. A rocking cradle according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said inner side walls are defined by:

i. a pair of spaced parallel fold lines,

a longitudinally extending cutline, and

ing panel portion is foldably connected to said second panel and underlies said end rail.

5. A rocking cradle according to claim 4 said reinforcing panel portion has stifiener tab foldably converted thereto and bearing against the inner side of said outer end wall. 

1. A rocking cradle formed from a unitary cut and scored blanK of paperboard or the like and comprising: a. bottom, side and open top panels foldably interconnected to define a tube in transverse cross-section; b. an extension from each end of said bottom panel comprising: i. a first panel portion defined by spaced arcuate score lines converging from midpoints thereof and meeting at the ends thereof to provide a curved bottom panel whereby a rocking movement may be imparted to said cradle; ii. a second panel portion foldably connected to said first panel portion and defined by generally parallel spaced and curved score lines; iii. said first and second panel portions being foldable to position to define inner end panels; c. an extension from each end of said top panel comprising: i. a further panel portion defined by spaced arcuate score lines converging from midpoints thereof; ii. said last named panel portion being substantially coextensive in area with said first and second named panel portions, and iii. being foldable to position to define an outer end wall; d. a pair of confronting inner side walls cut from and foldably connected to said top panel; e. distal portions extending from said further panel portions and secured to said bottom panel.
 2. A rocking cradle according to claim 1 wherein: a. said inner side walls are defined by: i. a pair of spaced parallel fold lines, ii. a longitudinally extending cut line, and iii. transversely extending cut lines extending between opposite ends of longitudinally extending cut line and said score lines.
 3. A rocking cradle according to claim 2 wherein said transverse cut lines define end rails.
 4. A rocking cradle according to claim 3 wherein a reinforcing panel portion is foldably connected to said second panel and underlies said end rail.
 5. A rocking cradle according to claim 4 said reinforcing panel portion has stiffener tab foldably converted thereto and bearing against the inner side of said outer end wall. 